What is Trade Republic? An Overview of Germany's Leading Neobroker.

Traditional investing has often felt complicated. Opening an investment account usually meant dealing with paperwork, navigating complex platforms, and paying fees that weren't always easy to understand.

Trade Republic set out to change that. Over the past few years, the German fintech company has become one of Europe's best-known neobrokers, attracting millions of customers with its mobile-first approach to investing and banking.

But what exactly is Trade Republic? How does it work? Is it safe? And how does it compare with other financial providers when it comes to managing money internationally?

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at Trade Republic's features, benefits, fees, and limitations. We'll also explore how Wise can complement Trade Republic for international payments and multi-currency money management.

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What is Trade Republic?

Trade Republic is a German financial technology company that offers investing and banking services through a mobile app.

Founded in Berlin in 2015, the company initially focused on making investing more accessible by offering a simple and low-cost platform for buying stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Since then, Trade Republic has expanded significantly. Today, customers can not only invest but also earn interest on cash balances, make everyday payments, receive a debit card, and manage their finances through a single app.

Because Trade Republic operates primarily through digital channels and does not maintain a network of physical branches, it is often referred to as a neobroker or digital bank.

How does Trade Republic work?

At its core, Trade Republic combines investing and banking features within a single platform.

Customers can open an account online, verify their identity digitally, and start using the app within a relatively short period of time.

Investing through the app

💡 Trade Republic allows customers to invest in a variety of assets, including:

• Stocks
• ETFs
• Bonds
• Cryptocurrencies

Everything is managed through the mobile app, giving users a simple overview of their portfolio, transactions, and account balances.

For many investors, one of Trade Republic's main attractions is its streamlined user experience. Rather than overwhelming users with professional trading tools, the platform focuses on simplicity and accessibility.

Savings plans

Savings plans are one of Trade Republic's most popular features.

Rather than investing a large amount all at once, customers can invest smaller amounts regularly.

For example, you could set up a monthly ETF savings plan and automatically invest a fixed amount each month.

Bonds and fixed-income investments

Trade Republic also offers access to selected bonds.

For investors looking for alternatives to stocks, bonds may provide opportunities to generate returns while potentially taking on different levels of risk.

As with any investment product, it's important to understand that returns are not guaranteed and investments can lose value.

Cryptocurrency investing

Customers can also gain exposure to cryptocurrencies through the platform. However, crypto assets are highly volatile and may experience significant price fluctuations.

❗ Investment risk:

All investments involve risk. The value of investments can rise or fall, meaning you may receive less than you originally invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Trade Republic current account and banking features

Trade Republic has gradually expanded beyond investing.

Today, many customers use the platform not only to manage their investments but also for certain everyday banking activities.

Current account features

Trade Republic now offers current account features that support everyday money management.

💡 Depending on the services available to you, you can:

• Receive payments
• Hold cash balances
• Make bank transfers
• Manage your money through the app

These additions make Trade Republic more than just an investment platform.

Debit card

Trade Republic offers debit cards that can be used for purchases online and in stores.

Depending on the card selected, different options and one-off issuance fees may apply. The card can also be added to supported mobile wallets, making contactless payments quick and convenient.

Cash withdrawals

Customers can withdraw cash using their Trade Republic debit card.

Cash withdrawals above the minimum qualifying amount are generally free of charge, although ATM operators may apply their own fees independently of Trade Republic.

If you're travelling abroad, it's worth checking both Trade Republic's latest conditions and any fees charged by local ATM operators.

Interest on cash balances

One of Trade Republic's most talked-about features is the ability to earn interest on eligible cash balances.

Unlike many traditional current accounts that pay little or no interest, Trade Republic allows eligible customers to earn interest on cash held in their account.

Depending on how customer funds are held, cash may be kept as bank deposits or allocated to money market funds. It's therefore worth understanding how your funds are held and what protections apply before opening an account.

Saveback

Trade Republic's Saveback feature allows eligible customers to invest automatically while they spend.

When paying with an eligible Trade Republic card, customers can receive 1% Saveback on qualifying card purchases. Instead of being paid out as cash, the Saveback amount is automatically invested into a selected savings plan.¹

For customers who already invest regularly, this can be an easy way to gradually increase their investments through everyday spending.

Is Trade Republic safe?

Whenever you open a financial account, security should be one of your first considerations.

Trade Republic uses a range of measures designed to protect customer accounts and operates within Germany's financial regulatory framework.

Banking licence

Trade Republic holds a full German banking licence.²

This allows the company not only to offer investment services but also banking products such as current accounts and payment services.

Regulation

Trade Republic is regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

Like other regulated financial institutions, it must comply with strict requirements relating to customer protection, anti-money laundering regulations, capital requirements and operational security.

Security measures

💡 To help protect customer accounts, Trade Republic uses a range of security features, including:

• Identity verification
• Two-factor authentication
• Encrypted communication
• Fraud detection and security monitoring

Customers can further improve the security of their accounts by using strong passwords, enabling all available security features, and keeping their devices up to date.

Deposit protection

Cash held as bank deposits is generally protected under the applicable deposit guarantee scheme.³

Depending on how customer funds are held, some balances may instead be invested in money market funds. These investments are kept separate from Trade Republic's own assets and are subject to a different regulatory framework, meaning they are not protected by deposit guarantee schemes in the same way as bank deposits.

Likewise, investments such as stocks, ETFs and bonds are not covered by deposit guarantee schemes because they are held separately in custody as your property.

Compare fees and exchange rates here 👈

Using Wise alongside Trade Republic

Trade Republic can help you invest, save and manage your everyday finances from a single app. However, if your finances extend beyond Germany, you may also benefit from a specialist provider for international money management.

Whether you're sending money abroad, receiving payments in foreign currencies or travelling regularly, Wise complements Trade Republic by making it easier to manage money across borders.

What is Wise?

Wise is a global financial technology company that specialises in international money transfers and multi-currency accounts.

💡 The Wise account allows customers to:

• Hold and manage 40+ currencies
• Send money to 160+ countries
• Exchange currencies at the guaranteed mid-market exchange rate
• Receive local account details in multiple currencies
• Spend globally using the Wise card

Transparent pricing

When sending money internationally, the exchange rate can be just as important as the transfer fee. Wise uses the guaranteed mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markups and displays the final cost of the transfer before you hit Send.

This makes it easier to understand exactly what you're paying and how much your recipient will receive.

Manage multiple currencies

If you earn, spend or invest internationally, managing multiple currencies from one account can simplify your finances.

Instead of opening separate foreign bank accounts, you can hold multiple currencies in your Wise account and convert them whenever you choose.

This can be particularly useful if you're travelling, working internationally or receiving payments from overseas.

Save with Wise 💰

How to sign up with Wise

Registering with Wise is simple and completely online. Here's how it works:

➡️ Open the website or app:

Whether on your laptop or smartphone, get started at Wise.com or directly in the Wise app.

➡️ Choose an account type:

Personal or business — decide now or later. Many customers use both, keeping them clearly separated.

➡️ Register:

Use your email address and password, or sign up through Google, Apple, or Facebook. Whatever suits you best.

➡️ Verify your identity:

Upload a valid identification document. For business accounts, additional company information is required.

➡️ Confirm your address:

Provide a utility bill, tax notice, or bank statement — as long as it is clear and up to date.

➡️ (Optional) Order a Wise card:

Directly in the Wise app — physical or digital. Perfect for travel, online shopping, or spontaneous spending in foreign currencies.

💡 Our tip:

Add a few currencies right away, explore the Wise app, and receive your first payments. A global account can make managing money across borders simpler.

Conclusion

Trade Republic has evolved from a simple mobile investing app into one of Europe's leading neobrokers.

Its combination of commission-friendly investing, automated savings features, interest on eligible cash balances and digital banking tools makes it an attractive option for many customers looking to grow their wealth.

However, before opening an account, it's important to understand both the benefits and the limitations. Investment risk remains part of every investment journey, and some banking services may differ from those offered by traditional financial institutions.

If your finances regularly cross borders, Wise can complement Trade Republic by making international money transfers and currency conversion simpler and more transparent.

With support for more than 40 currencies, transparent fees and the guaranteed mid-market exchange rate, Wise helps you manage your money internationally with confidence.

Start now with your personal Wise multi-currency account 💡

FAQ

Can I use Trade Republic outside Germany?

Trade Republic is available in several European countries. Availability may vary depending on your country of residence.

Is Trade Republic a real bank?

Yes. Trade Republic is a fully licensed German bank regulated by BaFin. It offers both investment services and banking products, including current account features.

Can I use Wise together with Trade Republic?

Yes. Many customers use Wise alongside Trade Republic to send money internationally, hold multiple currencies and convert money using the mid-market exchange rate.

❗ Please note:

Investing always involves risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up, meaning you may receive less than you originally invested.

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Sources used (as of 26.06.26):

1. Trade Republic overview – Trade Republic
2. Trade Republic banking licence press release – Trade Republic
3. How is your money protected with Trade Republic – Trade Republic